Pleas by an elementary school librarian, the head of the teachers’ union and the school district web supervisor weren’t enough to dissuade the Springfield School Board from following through with budget-cutting layoffs.

Board members unanimously approved 35 reduction-in-force notices that named specific people who might not have jobs with the district next school year.

The vote Monday was the next step in an arduous process to move forward with trimming $5.5 million from the budget that the board approved earlier this month.

That total includes 11 teachers, 17 support staff jobs and seven positions at Lawrence Education Center.

However, the approved RIFs don’t reflect the number of teaching positions lost, according to Gina McLaughlin-Schurman, the district’s human-resource director.

In total, there will be 26 fewer high school positions, five fewer middle school positions, three fewer elementary positions and four fewer librarians, McLaughlin-Schurman said.

Positions could be restored later this summer based on a number of factors, such as enrollment or teachers retiring or resigning, she added.

Interim Superintendent Bob Hill noted before the vote that the process has been difficult.

“There is nothing more difficult for this board to do,” Hill said.

David Heinzel, the district’s web supervisor, warned board members before the vote about the dangers of cutting back on the district’s website.

Heinzel said the district has a unique website that offers students and teachers the ability to post information online.

Not having someone in place to support that effort could lead to problems, he said.

“I’m asking you to help the district be a leader in technology,” Heinzel said.

The board also heard from Diana Riederer, a librarian at Addams, Matheny-Withrow, Fairview, Lee and Hazel Dell elementary schools.

Riederer maintained that relying solely on volunteers to staff the libraries could put the district in violation of the Illinois School Code.

Concerns were also raised Monday about what effect cutting the librarian from Iles Elementary School would have on its International Baccalaureate accreditation.

Hill said he was aware of that concern and that he would find a way to ensure that status.